Over the last seven days I happened to attend Inner Engineering conducted by the Isha Foundation established by Sadhguru. The session was conducted at Pioneer School Matunga, Mumbai. The course was conducted by one Ms. Kavita who is a trained Isha Yoga teacher. She has been in this field for over 15 years.
During the course one is taught Shambavi Mahamudra. The first day is a general introduction and is open to all. One can register on the spot after the first half hour of discourse by the teacher and a video by Sadhguru. One can preregister through the Isha Yoga site too. This is followed by a brief introduction to the course along with some discourses by Sadhguru and the instructions to be followed during the course.
There were two batches, a morning batch from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and an evening batch from 6;00 PM to 9:00 PM. They are punctual and start on time and finish on time. So you can plan accordingly without any hesitation.
The second day starts in earnest with the Upyogas that will help hold the right position for the Shambhavi Mahamudra. These upayogas are relatively easy to follow and practice. Some of them can be difficult for people not so physically fit.
The third day is introduction to some preparatory asanas and introduction to some parts of the Shambhavi Mahamudra.
The fourth day again is almost a repeat of the third day. Each day typically something new is introduced.
The fifth day, typically a Sunday is a whole day session. Starts at 6:00 AM in the morning and finishes by 6:00 PM in the evening. This is the day on which the participants are initiated to the Shambhavi Mahamudra. The breakfast and lunch are prepared and served by the volunteers of Isha Yoga. The food is very different from what normally one has. The breakfast consists of a banana and a porridge made concocted with a variety of pulses and jaggery etc. This mix is available later in the day for purchase. The lunch has three four varieties of salads with beetroot, carrot, cucumbuer, ash gourd ruling roost. There was also two preparation of flat/beaten rice; one sweet and the other salty. It may not seem palatable to someone who has thrived on rich spicy food, but I did enjoy the frugality and the lightness of both the meals.
The afternoon session is one where one is initiated into the Shambhavi Mahamudra by Sadhguru. No Sadhguru did not turn up. It was through a video recording.
The sixth and seventh day are practice of the Shambhavi Mahamudra in the presence of the guide so that any obvious errors are corrected.
Each day there is a series of videos of talks by Sadhguru. In essence he has the following points to say:
1. All rules are mine and I have to follow it.
2. My response -ability is unlimited. This in essence says don't react but respond to situations.
3. This moment is inevitable.
4. All that is there is in the way it is supposed to be. This underlies the fact that one needs to accept the present moment as it is.
5. I am neither the body nor the mind.
6. I am mother to all and need to care for all.
So has it helped me. There has been no miraculous change in me. While doing Shambhavi Mahamudra is a good idea, that by itself will not solve the problems in one's life and bring peace and order. It is acceptance of the situation and not reacting, but responding that will bring peace and happiness in life. Shambhavi Mahamudra can bring its own benefit.
So should you go to the course? Depends on your belief and trust. Is it a fraud? No definitely it is not a fraud? Will all my problems disappear? No. Don't expect a miracle. Do it and wait for the results.
P.S. When I went to the program I expected to see more of salty and salt and pepper heads, but I was surprised to find that more than 50% of the crowd was the youth. There were only a smattering of grey and white heads. Most of the were also youth. This seems very encouraging to me. If people start accepting things an stop reacting the world can become a very much better place to live in.
If you are not flexible in your limbs be prepared for a few days of pain in all your limb muscles. :-)
During the course one is taught Shambavi Mahamudra. The first day is a general introduction and is open to all. One can register on the spot after the first half hour of discourse by the teacher and a video by Sadhguru. One can preregister through the Isha Yoga site too. This is followed by a brief introduction to the course along with some discourses by Sadhguru and the instructions to be followed during the course.
There were two batches, a morning batch from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and an evening batch from 6;00 PM to 9:00 PM. They are punctual and start on time and finish on time. So you can plan accordingly without any hesitation.
The second day starts in earnest with the Upyogas that will help hold the right position for the Shambhavi Mahamudra. These upayogas are relatively easy to follow and practice. Some of them can be difficult for people not so physically fit.
The third day is introduction to some preparatory asanas and introduction to some parts of the Shambhavi Mahamudra.
The fourth day again is almost a repeat of the third day. Each day typically something new is introduced.
The fifth day, typically a Sunday is a whole day session. Starts at 6:00 AM in the morning and finishes by 6:00 PM in the evening. This is the day on which the participants are initiated to the Shambhavi Mahamudra. The breakfast and lunch are prepared and served by the volunteers of Isha Yoga. The food is very different from what normally one has. The breakfast consists of a banana and a porridge made concocted with a variety of pulses and jaggery etc. This mix is available later in the day for purchase. The lunch has three four varieties of salads with beetroot, carrot, cucumbuer, ash gourd ruling roost. There was also two preparation of flat/beaten rice; one sweet and the other salty. It may not seem palatable to someone who has thrived on rich spicy food, but I did enjoy the frugality and the lightness of both the meals.
The afternoon session is one where one is initiated into the Shambhavi Mahamudra by Sadhguru. No Sadhguru did not turn up. It was through a video recording.
The sixth and seventh day are practice of the Shambhavi Mahamudra in the presence of the guide so that any obvious errors are corrected.
Each day there is a series of videos of talks by Sadhguru. In essence he has the following points to say:
1. All rules are mine and I have to follow it.
2. My response -ability is unlimited. This in essence says don't react but respond to situations.
3. This moment is inevitable.
4. All that is there is in the way it is supposed to be. This underlies the fact that one needs to accept the present moment as it is.
5. I am neither the body nor the mind.
6. I am mother to all and need to care for all.
So has it helped me. There has been no miraculous change in me. While doing Shambhavi Mahamudra is a good idea, that by itself will not solve the problems in one's life and bring peace and order. It is acceptance of the situation and not reacting, but responding that will bring peace and happiness in life. Shambhavi Mahamudra can bring its own benefit.
So should you go to the course? Depends on your belief and trust. Is it a fraud? No definitely it is not a fraud? Will all my problems disappear? No. Don't expect a miracle. Do it and wait for the results.
P.S. When I went to the program I expected to see more of salty and salt and pepper heads, but I was surprised to find that more than 50% of the crowd was the youth. There were only a smattering of grey and white heads. Most of the were also youth. This seems very encouraging to me. If people start accepting things an stop reacting the world can become a very much better place to live in.
If you are not flexible in your limbs be prepared for a few days of pain in all your limb muscles. :-)
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